Mayor launches recreation Park project

By Andrew Magombo – Mana.

Mayor for Lilongwe City, Juliana Kaduya on Monday presided over a ground breaking ceremony at a construction site for Lilongwe City Councils’ Eden Park in Area 13.

Built along the Lilongwe River, Eden Park which has been christened after the biblical garden occupied by Adam and Eve, measures eight  hectares of land stretching from the City Councils premises to the bridge adjacent to the Youth Drive street heading towards Kawale.

Upon completion, it will be largest the public park in Lilongwe City where residents will enjoy a variety of recreation activities including weddings, jogging, footpath walking, cycling, games and beverage shops.

Mayor Kaduya said there was need to keep the City ‘clean and green’ at all times using the Lilongwe Ecological and Recreational Initiatives by means of assets like Lilongwe and Lingadzi Rivers.

She said that, “We will make use of the Lilongwe River to make this park evergreen in attracting our beloved residents as well as tourists. People will spend time with their families nonchalantly with all safety guaranteed. At the same time, the income generated will be used to develop this City in other projects.”

“I invite all leisure and environmental stakeholders to join Lilongwe City council in making this dream a reality through their investments. This is a responsibility for all of us to make Lilongwe a City that befits to be the Capital of Malawi.”    

Kaduya warned all land encroachers alongside wetlands and streams who have been engaging in sand mining, brick making and cultivation as the City seeks to clean up and rehabilitate the rivers.

According to Lilongwe City Council’s Chief Executive Officer, John Chome, the project would be completed in three phases for a period between two to three years.  The first one which will cost K10 million, is to be completed before commencement of the rainy season later this year. 

He said that the park which would be fully completed within a period of two to three years would be funded by other relative stakeholders locally and internationally.

Mana/am/tha